Excellent dental health is a wonderful thing, but many people live with issues like extensive gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss that can make it difficult for them to smile proudly. Thankfully, your cosmetic dentist is trained and equipped to design and perform a smile makeover that can address any number of dental health issues and cosmetic defects. Here’s a brief guide to how long a smile makeover can take.
What Is a Smile Makeover?
A smile makeover is a customized treatment plan that can include restorative and cosmetic dental treatments designed to resolve oral health issues and create a gorgeous smile. The number of treatments a smile makeover can include is limited only by what the patient qualifies for and their budget. While cosmetic dental treatments are rarely covered by insurance, restorative treatments, crowns, and veneers may be covered if they provide medical benefits.
How Much Time Can a Smile Makeover Take?
Smile makeovers can take several months or several years depending on the treatments included and when the patient can fit them into their schedule. In some cases, a patient will have to receive some treatments before others can be performed, such as when gum disease or tooth decay must be resolved before the patient can receive cosmetic procedures. However, there are times when treatments can be performed consecutively such as placing veneers and crowns in the same appointment.
What Treatments Can a Smile Makeover Include?
A few of the treatments a smile makeover can include are:
- Gum disease treatment: This may take several weeks.
- Dental fillings: These can usually be completed in one appointment.
- Restorations: Receiving devices like crowns, bridges, veneers, or dentures usually takes several appointments scheduled over a few weeks.
- Cosmetic dental bonding: This treatment is usually quite brief and takes a single appointment.
- Invisalign: This orthodontic treatment can take between six and eighteen months.
- Dental implants: Receiving these devices involves an intensive multi-step process that takes several months.
The best way to find out how long your smile makeover will take and which treatments it can include is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. During this visit, your provider will be happy to help you understand your options and determine the best way to schedule them.
About the Author
Dr. Russell O’Connell earned his dental degree at the New England College of Dental Medicine and has completed extensive postgraduate coursework to keep his skills sharp and up to date. He takes great pride in making sure the people of Califon receive excellent oral healthcare in a clean and calming office environment. His office offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as smile makeovers. To book your consultation for a makeover, contact his office online or dial (908) 832-2300.